TCW: A Quiet Retirement

[Marcel Fromage]

Prediction Key:

Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch vs. Keith Brothers w/ Blonde Bombshell

 

Aaron Andrews vs. Sammy Bach

 

Brent Hill vs. Sayeed Ali

 

Joey Minnesota vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

 

British Lions vs. RDJ & Danny Fonzarelli

 

Rocky Golden vs. Tommy Cornell

 

Frankie Perez vs. Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell (non-title)

 

Rick Law & Troy Tornado vs. Stone Brothers

 

Sorry but I'm fourthing these!

[Big Roguey]

Prediction Key:

Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch vs. Keith Brothers w/ Blonde Bombshell

 

Aaron Andrews vs. Sammy Bach

 

Brent Hill vs. Sayeed Ali

 

Joey Minnesota vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

 

British Lions vs. RDJ & Danny Fonzarelli

 

Rocky Golden vs. Tommy Cornell

 

Frankie Perez vs. Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell (non-title)

 

Rick Law & Troy Tornado vs. Stone Brothers

 

Fifth'd because I'd probably predict the same way. yeah I'm lazy like that.

[Candyman]

Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch vs. Keith Brothers w/ Blonde Bombshell

The Riders are on a downswing after their unsuccessful challenge at the PPV.

 

Aaron Andrews vs. Sammy Bach

After an A-rated match, Sammy can be kept elevated.

 

Brent Hill vs. Sayeed Ali

JOBBER!

 

Joey Minnesota vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

Freddy-ference!

 

British Lions vs. RDJ & Danny Fonzarelli

Fonzie picks up a win to keep him sweet, before he goes back to jobbing.

 

Rocky Golden vs. Tommy Cornell

Aww, man. Poor Rocky. Not the most promising re-debut ever.

 

Frankie Perez vs. Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell (non-title)

Not a chance, Frankie.

 

Rick Law & Troy Tornado vs. Stone Brothers

Woo! Rick can win on something that isn't Badge Of Honour!

 

I'm seconding these because I don't want to sixth D-Mack's and these are the same.

[Phantom Stranger]

I can't help but feel that you guys have a single fairly fixed idea about the likely results...

[Tigerkinney]

Prediction Key:

Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch vs. Keith Brothers w/ Blonde Bombshell

 

Well this is the one I could disagree on with D-Mack but my head says not to, Easy Riders have had their chance and the Keith's seem to be on the verge of making a real push for those tag belts.

 

Aaron Andrews vs. Sammy Bach

 

Bach seems more on the verge of a main event push

 

Brent Hill vs. Sayeed Ali

 

As Regis would say...JOBBER !

 

Joey Minnesota vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

 

I would say Minnesota is alot further up the card, accept he's not in this TCW, here he's still sort of spinning his wheels at the midcard level, the same midcard level Deeley is at but the School of Tradition appear to be going into meltdown and Huggin's based inteference will come into play.

 

British Lions vs. RDJ & Danny Fonzarelli

 

Two Jobbers vs an established main eventer and a glorified jobber.

 

Rocky Golden vs. Tommy Cornell

 

In this TCW, all is right in the world, over-rated musclehead Rocky Golden is a largely forgotten man.

 

Frankie Perez vs. Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell (non-title)

 

Maybe one day for Frankie, but not right now... actually given the fact that sort of day will come for Frankie when Keith decides to retire, then probably never.

 

Rick Law & Troy Tornado vs. Stone Brothers

 

The World Champion will be the difference maker

 

Dang it, I've ended up going the same as everyone else.

[Marcel Fromage]

I can't help but feel that you guys have a single fairly fixed idea about the likely results...

 

Well, yeah ... that and the fact that I've been out all day and have barely had chance to update my own diary over the past few days! Have to cut a few corners here and there!

[Beeker]

Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch vs. Keith Brothers w/ Blonde Bombshell

- Likely by DQ to keep the Riders looking strong. The Brothers are too good to be denied their push, plus it might keep Daddy around a while longer.

 

Aaron Andrews vs. Sammy Bach

- I know Bach is higher up the card but I'll predict Cornell teaching the kid some 'tough love' as a warning to Hawkins... plus I'm going with AA MUST BE A STAR.

 

Brent Hill vs. Sayeed Ali

- Welcome to TCW Ali, start paying some dues.

 

Joey Minnesota vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

- Minnesota seems to be stuck in a snow drift about now.

 

British Lions vs. RDJ & Danny Fonzarelli

- Lions put in a good showing but the overness gap of RDJ & Fonz earn them the victory.

 

Rocky Golden vs. Tommy Cornell

- If this were TEW2010, this would be a much more difficult call.

 

Frankie Perez vs. Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell (non-title)

- Which title isn't this for?

 

Rick Law & Troy Tornado vs. Stone Brothers

- If this were on BoH, I'd give the nod to Law, but he can do the job here and keep Jeremy and Edd looking like potential challengers.

[Phantom Stranger]

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/TCW.jpg

http://i89.photobucket.com/albums/k235/Bigpapa42_2006/Wrestling/Main/Other/Playegg_28207.jpg

 

TCW Presents Total Wrestling

 

Tuesday Week 1 December 2008

 

Live on GNN Total Sports (Rating 7.54)

Rebroadcast on Continental Sports X1 (Rating 0.01)

Rebroadcast on Japanese Sports Vision 3 (Rating: 0.10)

 

Held at the Iowa State Fayre (Mid West)

 

Attendance: 15,000 (Sold Out)

 

Announcers:

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JasonAzaria_alt1.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/HoratioDangerous_FIN6a.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/ShawnDoakes.jpg

Jason Azaria – Horatio Dangerous – Shawn Doakes

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/GreaseHogg.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/LeadBelly.jpg w/ http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/CarlBatch.jpg

Easy Riders w/ Carl Batch

vs.

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/GregGauge.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/MatthewGauge.jpg w/ http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/BlondeBombshell.jpg

the Keith Brothers w/ Blonde Bombshell

It's interesting, sometimes, to watch people adjust their styles while wrestling, and both Matthew Keith and Peter Hopper are trying, a little, to play their opponent's game.

 

But that's hardly the key story of this match; that story is, instead, one of all-out determination on one side and sheer fury on the other. The Riders just want to destroy the Keiths, and the Keiths want to squeak out the win. Still, Sam Keith's boys give as good as they get, hitting hard, hitting often, inflicting all the pain they can muster.

 

It's a shame, that being the case, that the Riders are, simply, more resilient. Matthew Keith crashes to earth with the Emergency Stop; Greg Keith eats a big boot on his way in to break it up, and the Riders remain one of the teams with the strongest records in the division.

Easy Riders defeated the Keith Brothers

Rating: B

 

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http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/AaronAndrews.jpg vs. http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/SammyBach_alt1.jpg

Aaron Andrews vs. Sammy Bach

Aaron delights in being, for once, on a size level with his opponent. The stronger of the two, he doesn't lack much in speed either, and loses no time in starting the assault – a belly-to-belly overhead suplex followed by a lariat as Bach rises.

 

After a few moments, indeed, Sammy simply drops his defences as he has done so many times, and Andrews begins to lay down a beating with impunity. It's only when he takes Sammy into a pinning position with a Northern Light's suplex that Bach moves, and he doesn't do much there; raising the shoulder to break the count, he wrenches Andrews right into the Bach on your Back, forcing the submission practically out of nowhere.

 

The camera catches Sammy's expression as the hold is applied; eyes half-closed, a dreamy, blissed-out smile on his lips.

Sammy Bach defeated Aaron Andrews

Rating: B

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http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/LobsterWarrior_PS.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/LaurenEaster.jpg

Walk This Way hits and Chris Rockwell heads down to the ring. Accompanying him is a woman that not even Jason Azaria recognises, but like Rockwell, she's clearly dressed for competition.

 

“Sunday night,” Rockwell begins, “I...” He breaks off, and the TCW crowd fill him in on exactly what happened. “YOU GOT BEAT! YOU GOT BEAT! YOU GOT BEAT!”

 

Rockwell shakes his head, eyes widening for a second, but he stops himself, gets himself back under control.

 

“Sunday night, I challenged for a title,” he says. “I didn't get it. Right now, that feels like the story of my life. But it's all about evening the score.

 

“See, Johnny, you've got a vapid little girl stood next to you every night. I asked myself how I could top that...” He gestures to the woman. “I found an actual wrestler. Someone who understands what it is to get in the ring and give and take punishment. Someone who knows what it's like to win.

 

“Scores are even now, Johnny. You're just holding that belt safe for me.”

 

“Strange thing,” Shawn Doakes remarks. “If Rockwell needed a wrestler, why didn't he just turn back to Frankie Perez? What's going on with those two?”

 

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http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/BrentHill_alt2.jpg vs. http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/SayeedAli.jpg

Brent Hill vs. Sayeed Ali

Sayeed Ali does his best, but Brent Hill is in no mood to let a newcomer make an impression at his expense.

 

Ali brawls out of holds for much of the match, but in the end, it's just not enough. Hill sinks him with an Ammo Dump then clamps on the Complete Package to force the submission – and the crowd seem to love it.

Brent Hill defeated Sayeed Ali

Rating: B

 

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http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/BrentHill_alt2.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/WolfHawkins_alt3.jpg

Of Wolf And Man hits, cutting off Brent's victory celebration, and Wolf Hawkins emerges, microphone in hand. “Tell your buddy it ain't over,” he begins. “Seriously. Just because that idiot Pete got involved doesn't mean he gets to walk away with the title. I'm coming for it, and I'm going to get it. Because you and your buddy?

 

“You were beneath me in the Syndicate, Brent. And you're beneath me now.”

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/totalbanner.jpg

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JoeyMinnesota_alt.jpg vs. http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/ShooterSeanDeeley.jpg w/ http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/LauraCatherineHuggins.jpg

Joey Minnesota vs. Sean Deeley w/ Laura Huggins

Minnesota and Deeley, as you might expect from two careful technicians, really get each other's styles in the ring, and the result is a pretty good, solid match.

 

Deeley gets the advantage pretty early, and begins to punish Minnesota for it, targeting his knee to set up a submission later. Minnesota is able to roar back, but a dropkick to that same knee eventually cuts him off, and Deeley clamps down on a single leg crab, really torquing back. It's hardly one of his signature holds, but the ferocity with which he works – and how clearly, visibly effective it is – means that it still looks like a match ender.

 

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/FreddyHuggins.jpg

Freddy Huggins then arrives at ringside. Laura, having clearly been expecting this, gets in his way and a shouting match ensues; a worried Deeley shifts his grip on the crab, and as Azaria notes, Minnesota appears to be shifting position to take advantage.

 

Huggins shoves his sister and Deeley releases the hold, ready to move to the confrontation, but he never gets the chance – Minnesota pops up immediately, directly under him, to hit the Empire Spiral which gets the pin.

Joey Minnesota defeated Sean Deeley

Rating: B-

 

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http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/MerleOCurle_alt.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/WalterMorgan.jpg vs. http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/RickyDaleJohnson.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/DannyFonzarelli_FIN3.jpg

British Lions vs. RDJ & Fonzarelli

Another all-round good match that doesn't deviate much from standard Lions matches of their tenure so far; solid tactical assault, careful targeting, brutal submission moves...

 

...and, ultimately, being toppled by their opponents. RDJ wipes Walter Morgan out with the Leaping Lariat to get the pin here.

RDJ & Fonzarelli defeated British Lions

Rating: B-

 

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http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/HoratioDangerous_FIN6a.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/TexasHangman.jpg

Once again we find ourselves in the interview room Horatio Dangerous uses for in-depth discussions. Sitting across the desk from him this time is the man known as Texas Pete.

 

On the desk between them lies Pete's old trademark, the black stetson. The big man is relaxed without it, sitting back and smirking.

 

“Welcome back to another in this highly irregular series,” Horatio smiles. “I should note that this interview is being taped on Sunday afternoon, some hours before A Little South of Sanity – by the time it airs, during this December's episodes of Total Wrestling, the man sat across from me may have captured his first championship. So, without further ado, possibly the International Champion, Texas Pete.”

 

Pete nods to the camera, then glances away, casual.

 

“Pete,” Horatio begins, “you first came into professional wrestling, uh, six years ago now, entering the sport with one of the biggest names in it – would you like to talk some about how that came about?”

 

Texas Pete turns back, and sighs heavily, glancing down at the hat. “I wish,” he begins, “that I'd come up a different way, really.”

 

“Hey, being selected to be trained by that company is no mean-”

 

“Oh, don't get me wrong,” Pete cuts in. “It was a hell of a start. Right on TV and right into the big paychecks, and it's difficult to bitch about that. But they picked me out – I was basically a kid, and to pay my way through college I was working security at a club in Austin. Someone from there got in trouble on the dance floor, I pulled the guy off, dumped him on his ass. Guy I saved turned out to be their TV producer, and I guess he liked what he saw of the way I handled myself.

 

“Came back the next day, offered me a contract. Training school, all that. I looked at the pay and said hell yeah, so I quit college the next week and moved up north... Which is how I got the nickname, but it's also how I got this.” He picks up the stetson and looks at it, turning it over in his hands, before sneering and skimming it out of shot. “So much bull.”

 

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http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/RockyGolden.jpg vs. http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/TommyCornell_alt5.jpg

Rocky Golden vs. Tommy Cornell

“There's something eerily familiar about this match,” is the comment Jason Azaria makes, one minute in. “I'm getting serious deja vu.”

 

The match itself is one that could very, very easily cause that, as Cornell and Golden go into a variation of the famous Cornell/Nemesis match of eleven years ago. Nemesis' key spots are switched out for Golden's, and Cornell has added a few new moves to his repertoire, but the basic underpinnings of the bloody brawl are identical – right down to Golden powerbombing Cornell through the announce table.

 

The main difference comes when Golden goes to cover – and Cornell somehow manages to instead wrap him up in the Guilt Trip to force the win.

Tommy Cornell defeated Rocky Golden

Rating: A

 

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http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/FrankiePerez.jpg vs. http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/SamKeith.jpg w/ http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/BlondeBombshell.jpg

Frankie Perez vs. Sam Keith w/ Blonde Bombshell

Swift, solid, and fast, but Perez hypermodern Indy style and Keith's ultra-establishment offence do clash a little.

 

Sam and Perez, however, are able to more or less work past that, and while Frankie gets in a lot of offence, Keith shuts it down. Toward the end, he gets the NeutronPlex, rolls over, starts to put on the Proton Lock -

A steel chair crashes off his head, and Sammy Bach follows that up with two more shots as Sam Sparrow calls for the bell. Bombshell appears to be calling for something else – Bach, seeing this, bails immediately.

Sam Keith won by DQ

Rating: B

 

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http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/RickLaw.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/TroyTornado_nacht6.jpg vs. http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JeremyStone_alt1.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/EddStone_alt13.jpg

Rick Law & Troy Tornado vs. Stone Brothers

And if you thought the last match was fast... Edd Stone is picking up tips from his brother rapidly, and Troy and Law continue to be an excellent partnership. The result has the crowd roaring from the start, and the pace absolutely never lets up.

 

We finish up with Rick Law and Jeremy Stone brawling on the outside. Troy goes for a powerbomb, gets reminded that YOU CAN'T POWERBOMB EDD STONE! and kicks out of the Party's Over. An Edd-Renaline Shot superkick is tried, but Tornado ducks it, hits the ropes, and nails the Star Maker.

 

The pin succeeds, though Law's block attempt fails when Jeremy Stone mercilessly dumps him with the Stone's Throw on the outside.

Rick Law & Troy Tornado defeated the Stone Brothers

Rating: A

 

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http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/JeremyStone_alt1.jpghttp://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/TroyTornado_nacht6.jpg

Jeremy promptly slides into the ring and hits Troy with the Stone's Throw immediately. Seconds later, the Stone Hold is applied, and Troy Tornado writhes in pain as the show goes off the air.

 

Show Rating: B+

[Dragonmack]

Well, since everyone copied me, everyone got all the matches but the Keith Brothers- Easy Riders match right then.

[Phantom Stranger]

Well, since everyone copied me, everyone got all the matches but the Keith Brothers- Easy Riders match right then.

 

Seems that way.

 

Should really be a little less predictable in results, but ah well...

[Bigpapa42]

Seems that way.

 

Should really be a little less predictable in results, but ah well...

 

I believe it was TigerKinney who put it best, when I was once upon a time noting that I might be booking too preidctably... "predictable" often also means "logical". And booking logically is not a bad thing. Booking aginst expectation simply for the sake of the unexpected gets iffy in a hurry.

[Beeker]

I managed to logically (well using my own logic) make a mess of those picks. But I still wouldn't have changed them because they made sense to me - which is why I always give reasons for my predictions - and weren't in agreement with everyone else.

[Phantom Stranger]

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/bookbanner.jpg

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/book_open-2.jpg

Wednesday 3rd December 2008

 

The question of the moment seems to be Aaron Andrews. He has the skill. He needs, perhaps, something to set him apart – either a storyline, or something else.

 

He's getting to be an adequate mic man, but he's still not good – not good enough to cement his new status with – so it needs to be something in the ring, most likely.

 

There's been a lot of chat backstage. Aaron's trying to figure out a new finish right now, one that works for where he hopes he's going to be going – fighting the bigger guys more often than the All-Action crowd.

 

Ultimately, the standing hot shot he used to use won't cut it in those circumstances, and while he's dallied with some other moves this year, they have much the same problem. Only an idiot tries a flying cross body on someone like Tyson Baine, for example. And someone Aaron's size, trying to take him out with a spinebuster? Let's just say I can see issues.

 

The spinebuster's not a bad move, though, and he hits it well. With some work we can get it over. But he may want something better – and we should probably figure that out ahead of getting this over, just in case.

 

At the same time, how long do we have? Aaron is about as popular as he's ever been at the moment. Matches against Tommy, Wolf and Sammy suggest that the fans are ready to cheer him. Holding off too long could damage that... And I say this as a firm believer that, with the right booking, anyone can recover from a bad streak.

 

I don't much want Aaron to have to. So where does all this fit in?

 

Got to get down to the Danger Zone and keep shaking out this ring rust. Back in a while.

[James Casey]

The best finishers can be hit from anywhere, on anyone.

 

The Cutter/RKO is a great finisher because everyone but a Big Show or Andre will go down with 250lb hanging around their neck.

 

The Stunner is a similar move, of course, and hits even more suddenly as there's less drop and arguably more impact.

 

Then there's the Angle/Olympic Slam, which can be hit from near enough anywhere, on anyone, but does require a bit more strength than I've always imagined Andrews having.

 

A man Andrews' size needs an impact finisher that's not reliant on his strength or size. A submission move is out - too many monsters and much stronger men in TCW. Even something like a figure four takes too long to set up, and offers too much potential for reversal. The only exception I can think of would be the ankle lock (funny how Kurt's moves both make the list...) which is quick, immobilising, easy and can be sold like fury.

 

If you want to mark Andrews out as special, then an uber-finisher like the Burning Hammer has potential. I saw one diary where Kane had it, though, and for me it is a big guy move - not least because Andrews BHing Baine? Or Peak? Or RDJ? Nah.

 

A couple of modern WWE moves that have potential are the Codebreaker (not coed breaker as I nearly wrote - save that for BSC) and MVP's Play of the Day variant (previously used by SHelton Benjamin, and before that Elix Skipper).

 

Because we're in TCW, I'm loathe to suggest a move like the Sliced Bread #2, as visually flashy as it is. The Canadian Destroyer is out for the same reason.

 

There's nothing wrong with a good old-fashioned piledriver, of course - even allowing for the weight issues, it can be hit on nearly anyone. The DDT can be hit on anyone, from nearly anywhere. However, in modern wrestling it's become a transition move (heck, the dropkick was once a legitimate finish!)

 

To my mind, ankle lock aside, there are three options:

 

Top rope to mat - moonsault, elbow drop, SSP. These always look great, they pop the crowd, and you can have the drama of a false finish where the opponent moves or blocks, or the monster catches them on the way down.

 

Shining Wizard - bastardised as it is, let's think about what this move is: You run at your opponent and knee them as hard as you can in the face. With the right build-up (bloody noses and glassy eyes for some undercard opponents) this move could get over again.

 

Superkick - For all that KC Glenn is lined up as the CV Shawn Michaels in-ring, Andrews is a much better fit personality-wise - and the Superkick really can be hit from anywhere, on anyone, at anytime.

 

And yes, I am waiting for a game to install, how'd you guess?

[Remianen]

Casey makes good points but I think he has far too much of a Sports Entertainment bent. The whole 'hit from anywhere' thing kinda goes against the traditional 'build to a decisive finish' that, well, traditional tends to call for. Besides, Tommy has the 'hit from anywhere' bit with the Guilt Trip, doesn't he? There are many moves of various types that can be used by an Andrews sized worker on workers of just about any size.

 

For example, if he can convincingly hit a sidewalk slam on an opponent, he can hit an inverted leghook brainbuster (Witchcraft). You'd probably want to change the 'brainbuster' to a 'DDT' since the whole head dropping thing would be frowned upon in the States.

 

I think Dragon Gate might have several finishers that would fit the purpose and the worker. Yoshino's Lightning Spiral, for example. I could also see Andrews doing any of CIMA's Schwein moves (Andrews is bigger than CIMA, I think?).

[Big Roguey]

Casey makes good points but I think he has far too much of a Sports Entertainment bent. The whole 'hit from anywhere' thing kinda goes against the traditional 'build to a decisive finish' that, well, traditional tends to call for. Besides, Tommy has the 'hit from anywhere' bit with the Guilt Trip, doesn't he? There are many moves of various types that can be used by an Andrews sized worker on workers of just about any size.

 

For example, if he can convincingly hit a sidewalk slam on an opponent, he can hit an inverted leghook brainbuster (Witchcraft). You'd probably want to change the 'brainbuster' to a 'DDT' since the whole head dropping thing would be frowned upon in the States.

 

I think Dragon Gate might have several finishers that would fit the purpose and the worker. Yoshino's Lightning Spiral, for example. I could also see Andrews doing any of CIMA's Schwein moves (Andrews is bigger than CIMA, I think?).

Double A is a middleweight, not sure about CIMA. To be honest, I would mark out like a b!tch for a Shining Wizard spotting.

 

How are the guys in development doing?

[Bigpapa42]

With regard to finishers, I personally think the finisher should reflect the character and their in-ring approach to some extent. The Stone Cold Stunner and RKO work so well for those workers because its fits their persona - unpredictable. Its interesting that Orton also has the Punt, a more anticipating-based finisher for his "stalking mode". I like Remi's approach that it should fit the product, but I don't think a "hit from anywhere" finisher is necessarily out of place in a more traditional product - rather, I think you just don't want to overuse that approach.

 

When I was trying to figure out what I wanted to use for Rocky Golden's Rocky Road finisher, I looked at a lot of options. From a Cutter to a big pile-driver to a sudden submission of some type (someone had his use an ankle lock, if memory serves). I ended up going with a Ganso bomb. It fit the big and powerful approach I felt he would use, and didn't seem out of place with the rather Hogan (or Sam Strong) like approach I envisioned him using - taking a beating and then having a big comeback, culminating in the build toward the finisher everyone knows is coming.

 

So basically my point is that I would consider what suits how you want to present his in-ring presense in addition to what fits the promotion. If Double-A is rather opportunistic, I don't think it would be wrong to have an "out of nowhere" finisher. But if he's more methodical and scientic, then something you have to work toward might be more suiting...

[James Casey]

There are ways and ways of building to a finish, though. Say for the sake of argument that Andrews starts using a DDT - that's a moveset focussed on the neck and head of your opponent. Just in terms of time taken to apply a move, the longer it is the less effective it should be - it gives far too long for an opponent to counter/reverse.

 

The figure four is a move that can be applied in just a few seconds - wind the leg, cross it, sit back, done. For Ric Flair it takes about forty seconds, and you know that somewhere along the line it's going to be blocked, countered or reversed. Of course, that's Flair, but some of the most classic finishers were as much about the show as the go - Iron Claw, anyone?

 

A 'tarantula' hold that needs contortions and limblocks and fourteen points of pressure would take so long to apply - and be so hard to cinch in - as to effectively be useless unless your opponent's near unconscious. In which case, why not just pin him?

 

I can certainly understand the appeal of a more traditional finish in TCW, but I don't think that mitigates against a move that's quick, simple and gives the worker the option of a last, desperate roll of the dice when all other hope is lost.

[Beeker]

I mostly agree with Casey, not in that a finisher should be able to be hit outta nowhere, but that it should be equally applicable to 500 pound monsters and 200 pound flippy flyers. Andrews might well have one move as his 'cruiserweight killer' and another, no weight limit finished for the bigger guys.

 

One thing I have noticed about wrestling is that ANYTHING can be a finisher. Liger got a double palm thrust over because it was built up to in a match. Personally I think Andrews needs a storyline, something where he 'pays his dues, pay 'em!' (I miss Monkeypox) and his traditional finishers won't cut it, this could lead to him going in a quest for a big match move - be it a Texas Cloverleaf (I so miss that move!) or a Pedigree or an Impaler DDT. Whatever it is, it should culminate with in a match where, once again, AA hits a spinebuster but on his big, broad-backed rival can't keep him down. Then he could debut his new finisher and with Dangerous selling it like Grim Death... viola... he's got his finisher for the next five to ten years.

 

Edit: Incidentally, I find Orton's RKO about the least convincing version of that I've ever seen. Of course, I find Orton completely unconvincing as a wrestler so that might have a lot to do with it.

[1PWfan]

Obviously I speak as a very old-school guy at heart, but I figure a DDT variant or piledriver would be a good finisher- it provides a good no-frills move that can help build the character. A Snap DDT or plain old Cradle Piledriver would work as finishers provided the commentary team sells them well enough (and don't forget that Jimmy Cox has gotten over a cradle piledriver as one of the most dangerous moves in the world- if he can do it so can anyone).

[Phantom Stranger]

This has to be one of the most rewarding things about doing this diary; just the amount of discussion and thought that goes into things like this. It's also why I like it when Beeker's observations come up - whatever running gags we may make about his predictions, it's pretty clear that he has a logic behind them, and an interesting viewpoint on wrestling.

 

I haven't decided on Aaron's finisher yet - I'm as confused as Horatio, honestly - but these comments have all been pretty useful (though the current front-runner hasn't yet been mentioned.)

 

But thanks, everyone...

[Phantom Stranger]

How are the guys in development doing?

 

Most of 'em are coming along nicely. A couple are pretty much ready to debut - like Sayeed on Tuesday, and someone on Badge of Honor - but are still biding their time.

 

Stevie Grayson may actually make a half-decent worker for a smaller promotion by the time his contract runs out and he gets let go.

[critical-23]

Most of 'em are coming along nicely. A couple are pretty much ready to debut - like Sayeed on Tuesday, and someone on Badge of Honor - but are still biding their time.

 

Stevie Grayson may actually make a half-decent worker for a smaller promotion by the time his contract runs out and he gets let go.

 

What about Natural Talent (I think I missed a post or two about them somewhere)? Are those guys close to the big leagues yet?

[Phantom Stranger]

What about Natural Talent (I think I missed a post or two about them somewhere)? Are those guys close to the big leagues yet?

 

Yes and no.

 

Yes, they're getting much better than they were, and no, there are a lot of jobber tag teams at the moment. As the tag division settles, the plan has always been to rotate a couple of the teams at the bottom in and out (you may also have noticed that Kazuma Narato and the Cannonball Kid are not currently active) with the goal of getting that team exposure when in TCW and experience both down below and in TCW. Current plan is for Natural Talent to return earlyish in the new year. We'll see how long it actually ends up taking.

[Phantom Stranger]

http://i293.photobucket.com/albums/mm75/trenchcoatbrigand/TCW/badgebanner.jpg

 

It looks like another busy Friday here in TCW, as this week's Badge of Honor will see a debut, a first TCW match, six-man competition and much more.

 

The Young Guns will be there to kick things off, taking on Canadian talents the Elite Express in what's sure to be a fast-paced contest.

 

Eddie Peak provides one of the toughest welcomes TCW has to offer. The man facing that welcome? A Samoan warrior who's cut a feared swathe across Japan before coming where the competition is hottest - the man known to his fans as Rhino Umaga.

 

Following the newcomer's arrival in the match between the School of Tradition and Team VIPER last week, Eric Tyler has demanded a chance to school Koshiro Ino's disciple Hidekazu. Who will end up the teacher?

 

On learning of this, the Kobra requested his own match, with Freddy Huggins the opponent selected by Mayhem Midden. Freddy has his own issues, but Sean Deeley has, thus far, been the man to toe the School's line and not disrupt their goals - could Freddy have the time to topple Ino?

 

Six man action is next on the cards, with Midden declaring a match designed to showcase the hidden talent of TCW. Featuring Aaron Andrews, Acid, Art Reed, Hell Monkey, Teddy Powell and UK Dragon, this match has loads of talent - talent, but not yet the kind of recognition Midden feels they deserve. Be sure to tune in Friday so you can see what he means - and who comes out the best.

 

Tommy Cornell's tests continue. This week, he has selected Ino's new allies in Team VIPER - and to accompany him, Wolf Hawkins. Could this be the olive branch the Syndicate seems so desperately to need?

 

It happens only when he feels it necessary, but Rick Law has made use of his right to select the main event's participants rather than face off with an opponent selected by TCW officials - following Tuesday's assault after the main event, Law will challenge Jeremy Stone. Could retribution be in store for the Canadian Wrestling Machine?

 

Prediction Key:

Elite Express vs. Young Guns

 

Eddie Peak vs. Rhino Umaga

 

Eric Tyler w/ Laura Huggins vs. Hidekazu w/ Baroness Emily

 

Koshiro Ino w/ Baroness Emily vs. Freddy Huggins w/ Laura Huggins

 

Aaron Andrews vs. Acid w/ Laura Huggins vs. Art Reed w/ Blonde Bombshell vs. Hell Monkey vs. Teddy Powell vs. UK Dragon

 

Team VIPER vs. Tommy Cornell & Wolf Hawkins

 

Jeremy Stone vs. Rick Law